Top-Ranked Cancer Care Offers Hope to Kids Around the World
Cincinnati Children’s cancer care experts provide sophisticated, family-centered treatments and conduct cutting-edge research. For the third straight year, Cincinnati Children’s has been ranked No. 1 in the nation for pediatric cancer care by U.S. News & World Report.
Our high level of care provides hope for many patients from all over the world, including Noah and his family. At age 4, Noah was diagnosed with a Wilms tumor, a rare form of kidney cancer.
Noah’s care team included a nurse practitioner, a registered nurse who was his care manager, a social worker and a primary oncologist. Though surgery to remove Noah’s kidney was successful, his Stage 4 cancer came back in his lungs four times over four years.
During that time, Noah had multiple surgeries and underwent several courses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. A weekly meeting of oncologists, radiologists, surgeons and other physicians reviewed Noah’s case multiple times and determined the best treatment. Noah tried new medicines by participating in clinical trials managed by Cincinnati Children’s.
“When a child is diagnosed with cancer, their family’s world stops,” says Katherine Somers, MD, Noah’s primary oncologist. “My priority as an oncologist is to efficiently assemble and guide the team of expert leaders needed to start on the pathway to treatment and hopefully to cure.”
Noah, who is now 13, has been in remission for nearly three years. He just finished seventh grade and enjoys hanging out and gaming with his friends. In school, he excels in English and advanced math and has tested into algebra. He has followed his older sister into music, playing the flute in concert band. Noah sees Dr. Somers every three to four months for follow-up scans.
“Everyone on Noah’s care team at Cincinnati Children’s has been so committed,” says his dad, Michael. “We’re grateful that they’ve given us many more years with Noah.”
